Boat with convertible tender garage area

ABSTRACT

A boat has a system for converting a utility space used for garaging a dinghy and formed under the cockpit of the boat into an additional living cabin when the dinghy is removed from the garage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Filed of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to a structure of cruising boats and motor yachts. Particularly, the invention relates to a motor yacht arrangement directed to the efficient use of living and tender storage space and a system for providing such an arrangement.

[0003] 2. Background of the Related Art

[0004] Aesthetics, comfort and cost are three principles every boat designer must deal with while constructing a cruising boat. Often, these principles collide with one another, and a relatively fast and inexpensive boat may suffer from lack of comfort and space Alternatively, a comfortable boat can be prohibitively expensive. Achieving an acceptable compromise without significantly sacrificing any of the above-stated principles is a haunting task causing boat designers to look for new materials, and to use the latest achievements in electronics, mechanics and boat construction.

[0005] In boat construction and design, the problems encountered are both functional and aesthetical. Creating a true motor yacht requires the melding of art and science—a skillful blend of the craftsman's artistry with the best boat building technologies available. Particularly, the efficient use of the boat space offers a unique challenge for a boat designer. An optimal boat design is a function of multiple components; however, the starting point is always related to the dimensions of the boat to be designed. What can be easily accomplished on a larger watercraft cannot be incorporated in a design of a smaller boat without bold engineering innovations. Sometimes miniscule improvements of a standard boat design can lead to enormous advantages, such as enhanced living conditions and an increase in comfort of crewmembers and passengers Accordingly, the marketability of the improved watercraft can be favorably affected as well.

[0006] For instance, motorboats, cruisers and motor yachts, usually more than 30 feet long, commonly carry smaller boats or dinghies used for a variety of purposes, such as local trips when a watercraft is at port. Many designs of cruisers, boats and motor yachts have long incorporated swim or sports platforms mounted to the stern of the boat's hull and used in association with a variety of sports activities, such as diving, waterskiing and the like. However, in view of the dramatic increase in the popularity of personal watercraft, the swim platform is also often being used as a storage site for dinghies. Accordingly, storing a dinghy on the swim platform, which is sometimes called a sports platform, defeats all other purposes for which this platform can be effectively used.

[0007] More sophisticated boat designs feature a tender garage sized to receive the entire length of the dinghy. Considering that motor yachts of this kind have capacity for cruises with long stops at ports, the dinghy can be extensively used for local trips. However, the use of the garage space for dinghy, which is often large, in addition to its direct purpose, is typically limited to storing purposes. Accordingly, when the dinghy is in use, a large space that could be effectively used for additional purposes, such as temporary living quarters, remains unexploited.

[0008] Still other designs directed to a boat structure having the dinghy stored on a deck. These designs are associated with a mechanism, such as a crane, operative to lift the dinghy onto the deck from the water. Such a design may have a few disadvantages. First, the crane is costly. Second, this mechanism is a highly visible structure occupying a relatively large area and diminishing an aesthetical appeal of the boat. Third, high visibility of the dinghy may negatively affect the aesthetics of the boat as well. Finally, a deck, particularly the one adjacent the flybridge, like a swim or sports platform, may be used for other purposes, such as sunbathing Storing the dinghy on the deck precludes the crew and passengers from using the deck for these purposes.

[0009] It is, therefore, desirable to provide a boat structure having a balance of style, utility and comfort. Also a structural boat arrangement including a singular space suitable for use as a utility space and as a living quarter is desirable as well, as is a system for providing such an arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Consistent with the foregoing needs and requirements, this invention relates to a boat structure with a unique arrangement of singular boat space that can be efficiently and alternatively used as a garage and as a living quarter. In particular, in accordance with the invention, the boat structure has a singular space, which is both uniquely convenient for displacement of the dinghy from and into this space and, when the dinghy is not garaged, useful as a comfortable living quarter or cabin. The living cabin is spacious and equipped with all necessary amenities that provide the cabin's occupants with a comfortable lifestyle.

[0011] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the motor yacht has a system operable for converting the singular space adapted to store the dinghy and extending between the boat's floor and the bottom of the cockpit into the living cabin having a size which is unprecedented for a 50-70 fly-bridge foot motor boat.

[0012] The inventive design has numerous advantages. The main advantage, obviously, is that the motor yacht is provided with an additional living space when the dinghy is out A further advantage stems from the fact that the cabin's occupants have all necessary amenities and, in addition, a direct access to the swim platform which can be used for various recreational purposes. Accordingly, the cabin provides an interior environment where—depending on the weather—the occupants can socialize, comfortably rest and enjoy the unique location of the cabin next to the water. Thus, the inventive arrangement provides the motor yacht with an elegant, functional, and mature structure.

[0013] A further aspect of the invention includes a drain system, which allows for watering and, thus, for cleaning of the garage space. The drain system is constructed to prevent water from penetrating into the foot and storage space of the living cabin located immediately below the garage space.

[0014] Yet a further inventive aspect of the invention is directed to a molded unit mounted under the cockpit and having two compartments, one of which defines the footspace of the convertible living cabin. The other compartment defines a space designed to be used as a stateroom. The molded unit, as a whole, is formed so that it conforms to the floorplan of the boat defined by longitudinal and cross reinforcing beams. In particular, the structure of the molded unit has locations arranged in each of the compartments and designed to accommodate toilets, sinks, drains and other amenities, which are all located in sunken areas between the beams. As a result, all of the components installed on the molded unit do not add to the overall height of the boat which is, thus, designed to have a cockpit area positioned relatively low with respect to the waterline, a feature which contributes to the elegant boat line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other features, objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment accompanied by the flowing drawing, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a boat according to the invention,

[0017]FIG. 2 is a top view of the boat of FIG. 1, which is fragmentally sectioned to illustrate master and VIP staterooms;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the hull of the boat shown in FIG.;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a plan, top view of the aft area provided with a garage space for dinghy associated with the boat of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of the aft area in accordance with FIG. 4,

[0021]FIG. 6 is a plan, top view of the aft area with an additional living cabin of the boat illustrated in FIG. 1 after the dinghy has been removed from the garage space;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a molding unit including a stateroom space and the floor space for the additional living cabin, as shown in FIG. 7; and

[0023]FIG. 8 is a sectional rear view of the aft area showing a system for converting the utility space into the living space in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] A boat designed in accordance with the invention has a unique structural arrangement for a singular space provided in the aft area between the lowest floor of the boat and the underside of the cockpit. The inventive structural arrangement allows the singular space to be selectively used as a dinghy garage/utility space and as a living quarter provided with the necessary amenities.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-8 in general, a motorboat or motor yacht embodying the teachings of the present invention is generally designated as 10. The boat may be formed of any suitable material such as aluminum or fiberglass. Although certain aspects of the present invention can be indiscriminately applied to any type of a watercraft, the present design is particularly advantageous fir the fly-bridge type of cruisers having a length not exceeding about 70 feet.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the boat 10 includes three main areas, a fly-bridge area 12 located between a raised forward deck 14, which is associated with the bow part 20 of the hull, and a cockpit 16 at the aft 18 of the hull. One of the luxurious features of the boat 10 includes two spacious staterooms, a master stateroom 22 located under the fly bridge and a VIP stateroom 24 located adjacent to the master stateroom and extending toward the raised forward deck 14. The cockpit 16 has, for example, an array of cushions one of which can flip to provide access into an aft space between the bottom of the cockpit and a floor 28 of the boat 10.

[0027] In accordance with the main concept of the invention directed to the efficient use of the boat space, the singular aft space is arranged to be alternatively used as a garage 34 for a dinghy 36 (FIGS. 4-5) or as a living cabin, which is provided with a combination of the amenities including a toilet 54, a sink 52, a shower space 84, and at least one berth 96 (FIG. 6) Location of the aft space is critical for both garaging and living purposes and occupies a space defined, in a longitudinal direction, between a swim platform and a kitchen and, in a vertical direction, between the floor 28 of the boat and the bottom of the cockpit 16. When used as the living cabin, it can provide at least two people with a comfortable lifestyle upon temporary removal of the dinghy 36. Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the aft space is automatically converted into the living cabin provided with the amenities by simply displacing the dinghy outside.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the aft space is provided with an assembly for converting this space from the garage into the living cabin. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, the aft space has a relatively small stateroom 42 and a utility compartment. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, the utility compartment has the assembly for using the utility compartment in two different modes. In one of the modes, part of the volume of the utility compartment defines the garage 34 (FIGS. 4-5) for the dinghy 36, whereas the other part is a foot space, and in the other mode, the entire space volume is used as the living cabin 46 (FIG. 6).

[0029] An assembly for converting the garage 34 into the additional living cabin 46 and vice versa includes a simple panel or hatch 38 pivotable between a closed (FIGS. 4, 5 and 8) and open position (FIG. 6). In the closed position, the hatch 38 functions as the floor for the garage 34 and, thus, divides the storage space into the foot space 66 (FIGS. 5 and 8) and the garage 34, whereas, upon rotating the hatch at a 180° angle to the open position (FIG. 7), the entire storage space converts into the living cabin 46.

[0030] The hatch 38 extends from a swim platform 26 (FIGS. 1 and 5) and covers the entire length of the utility compartment dimensioned so that when the dinghy 36 is entirely housed in the garage 34, its longitudinal axis extends parallel to a longitudinal axis 68 of the boat 10 (FIG. 2). Location of the garage 34 is particularly convenient for pulling the dinghy in and out because the hatch 38 terminates next to the swim platform 26 that, in turn, is located next to the water line. A mooring tool 70 (FIG. 5) can include any suitable motorized means mounted, for example, on a partition 72 (FIG. 5), which defines the front wall of the utility compartment. Since the garage 34 extends in a longitudinal direction, pulling the dinghy into the garage includes a simple operation of attaching the bow of the dinghy to a cable and actuating the mooring tool.

[0031] Turning to FIG. 8, the hatch 38 has a longitudinal guide rail 76 provided with a groove 78, which is shaped and dimensioned to receive a means for rolling or sliding the dinghy in and out. Accordingly, the longitudinal guide rail 76 provides an easy, smooth and unidirectional guidance of the dinghy. Preferably, the groove 78 has a V shape.

[0032] It is essential that water entering the garage 34, as the dinghy 36 is being pulled in, be quickly drained to prevent flooding of the foot space 66. Furthermore, when the dinghy is removed from the garage 34, it is desirable to clean the hatch 38, which also necessitates the installation of a drain assembly. These requirements are met by a drainage system including a main drain outlet 40, which, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, is formed in the swim platform 26 Another drainage unit 64, as illustrated in FIG. 8, is located next to the outer longitudinal edge 48 of the hatch 38 and is in flow communication with the drain outlet 40 for evacuating water, which, for example, can be accumulated during washing the garage 34, away from the latter. In addition, the inner side of the hatch is layered with waterproof material 56 protecting the foot space 66 from residual water drops.

[0033]FIG. 7. illustrates a molded unit mounted under the cockpit 16 between the opposite longitudinal sides of the boat and essentially including two compartments. One of the compartments defines the smaller stateroom 42 typically used by crew and including two berths, a toilet and a shower 80, as better illustrated in FIG. 5. The other compartment defines the foot space 66 located adjacent to the stateroom 42 and, as shown in FIG. 6, including a combination of the sink 52, the toilet 54, and the curtain-defined shower 84.

[0034] The molded unit can be used with the first embodiment of the invention, wherein the garage and living cabin are arranged within a singular space convertible by virtue of displacing the dinghy in and out of the space, and with the other embodiment of the invention featuring the assembly for converting the utility compartment into the living cabin by means of the hatch 38. Although the molded unit, as shown in FIG. 8, is associated with the embodiment provided with the hatch 38, simple structural changes directed to rearrange the toilet, sink, drain and shower to provide a space sufficient to accommodate the dinghy can be made by an ordinary skilled boat designer.

[0035] The molded unit is structured to have its contour conforming to the geometry of the floor 28 of the boat 10 which, as explained below, contributes to the overall aesthetics of the inventive boat. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the boat 10 is provided with a plurality of longitudinal beams 104 and cross beams, not shown in the drawing. It is generally accepted that the cockpit positioned relatively low with respect to the water line provides a motor yacht with the improved aesthetics. By molding the unit so that all toilets, sinks, berths and the like are located only within sunken areas 100 (FIG. 8) defined between the longitudinal and cross reinforcing beams contributes to the overall relatively small vertical dimension of the aft area. Thus, in accordance with the invention, not only the aft area is formed with the additional living cabin in which people can stand upright, but also this area is so dimensioned that a distance between handrails 104 (FIG. 3) installed on the cockpit 16 and the waterline does not exceed two (2) meters, creating an elegant boat line.

[0036] Returning to FIG. 7, the foot space 66 is accessible when the garage 34 is converted into the living cabin 46 by pivoting the hatch 38 along a curved path 110, as illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 8. The floor of the compartment 66 may be slightly inclined to provide automatic evacuation of water, when, for example, the shower 84 is being used. In addition, the floor of the foot space 66 has a recessed partition 88 defining a storage space 86, which is covered by a top cover 92 (FIG. 8) sealingly protecting the storage space 86 from dripping water when the hatch 38 is displaced in its open position, in which it lies atop the cover 92. Thus, the cover 92 provides a hatch support and has a recess 94 receiving the guide rail 76 in the open position of the hatch 38, as shown in FIG. 8. The recessed partition 88 has its top provided with a pair of hinges 90 supporting the hatch 38 and defining an axis of rotation about which the hatch pivots along the curved path 110 between the open and closed positions.

[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the inner side of the hatch 38 facing the foot space 66 is provided with a mattress or berth 96, which, when displaced with the hatch in the open position of the latter, can be easily accessed by a person, as better seen in FIG. 6. The living cabin 46 is so spacious that it can easily accommodate an additional berth 112, as better seen in FIG. 6

[0038] The dimensions of the living cabin 46 allows for a tall person to stand upright, without touching the bottom of the cockpit. Therefore, as the storage space is converted into the living cabin, the occupants can relax there with comfort. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the aft area includes a garage door 98 mounted on the deck in a swinging or sliding manner between a closed position completely blocking access to the garage or living cabin and an open position. Accordingly, the swingable door 98 provides direct communication between the interior of the living cabin 46 and the outside and, thus, adds additional comfort for the cabin's occupants Further, the living cabin has a direct access to the cockpit upon flipping one of the cushions located in the cockpit 16.

[0039] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to preferred embodiments, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A boat structure comprising a system for converting a space between a garage for a dinghy and a living cabin.
 2. The boat structure according to claim 1, wherein the space is defined between the cockpit and the floor of the boat and is arranged within the aft area.
 3. The boat structure according to claim 1, wherein the space is divided into an upper volume and a lower volume when the dinghy is garaged, the lower volume being provided with a sink, a toilet, a berth, a shower, and a drain.
 4. The boat structure according to claim 1, wherein the space has a singular undivided volume accommodating the dinghy and equipped with a sink, a toilet, a shower, and a drain and used as the living cabin upon removal of the dinghy out from the space.
 5. A boat structure provided with the cockpit and floor spaced downwards from the cockpit, comprising: an arrangement defining a space between the cockpit and the floor, the space being shaped and dimensioned to garage a dinghy and to have a toilet, a sink, a shower, a berth, and a drain, whereas the space is converted into a living cabin upon removing the dinghy from the space.
 6. The boat structure according to claim 5, wherein the space has an undivided volume defined between the cockpit and the floor when the dinghy is garaged.
 7. The boat structure according to claim 5, further comprising a dividing assembly swingable in the space between a closed position, in which the space is divided into an upper volume sufficient to receive the dinghy and a lower volume provided with the toilet, sink, berth, shower and the drain, and an open position in which the space is converted into an undivided volume upon removing the dinghy out from the space.
 8. A method for constructing a boat, comprising the steps of: arranging a space dimensioned to garage a dinghy under the cockpit; providing the space with a toilet, a sink, a shower, a berth and a drain; and converting the space into a living cabin upon removing the dinghy from the space
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the space is singular and has an undivided volume.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the space has a volume dividable so that when the dinghy is garaged, an upper volume defines a garage area and a lower volume defines a footspace, and when the dinghy is removed from the garage, the garage area and the footspace form the living cabin provided with a singular volume corresponding the upper and lower volumes.
 11. A boat comprising: a hull provided with a floor; a cockpit arranged in the aft area of the boat and spaced from the floor of the hull to define a space therebetween; and an arrangement including a toilet, a sink, a shower, a drain, a shower and a berth provided in the singular space, wherein the space is used in a first mode corresponding to the use of the singular space as a garage for a dinghy, and in a second mode corresponding to the use of the space as a living cabin equipped with the arrangement upon removal of the dinghy from the singular space.
 12. The according to claim 11, further comprising a hatch located within the space and rotatable between a closed position, in which the hatch extends between the cockpit and the floor to define an upper garage space and a lower foot space, and an open position uncovering the lower foot space so that the entire space is converted into a living cabin.
 13. The boat according to claim 11, further comprising a molded unit extending between opposite longitudinal sides of the boat and including a stateroom and the foot space, the foot space being provided with a sloped floor to drain water, a partition dividing the foot space into a storage compartment and a stateroom, the footspace further having a first sink, a first toilet and a first shower, the partition has a top side provided with a pair of hinges attached to the hatch
 14. The boat according to claim 12, wherein the stateroom is adjacent to the foot space, the hatch extending toward and terminating substantially next to the stateroom in the closed position thereof, and extending over and covering the storage compartment in the open position thereof.
 15. The boat according to claim 13, wherein the stateroom has a plurality of berths, a second toilet, a second sink and a second shower.
 16. The boat according to claim 12, wherein the foot space is provided with a seating area accessible by people from the cockpit in the open position of the hatch, the living cabin extends between the cockpit and the floor at a distance allowing a person to stand upright
 17. The boat according to claim 11, wherein the garage is dimensioned to receive and house the entire dinghy.
 18. The boat according to claim 12, further comprising a winch mounted in the space for displacing the dinghy into the garage, the molded unit having a swim deck extending outwards from the foot space and substantially at a water level and provided with a draining opening preventing water running in with the dinghy from entering the garage space.
 19. The boat according to claim 17, further comprising an additional draining outlet provided above the draining opening and dimensioned to guide water accumulated in the garage space toward the draining opening.
 20. The boat according to claims 12, wherein the inner side of the hatch facing the foot space is provided with a layer of waterproof material preventing water from penetrating the foot space.
 21. The boat according to claim 12, wherein the outer side of the hatch facing away from the foot space in the closed position of the hatch has a guide rail provided with a longitudinal groove, which is dimensioned to guide a rolling or sliding assembly carrying the dinghy into and out of the garage along a ramp provided in the swim platform.
 22. The boat according to claim 12, wherein the storage compartment is covered with a cover supporting the hatch in the open position thereof, the cover is provided with a trough shaped and dimensioned to receive the guide rail.
 23. The boat according claim 22, wherein the cover is made from waterproof material.
 24. The boat according to claim 11, further comprising a door pivotally mounted on the cockpit and swingable between a closed position, wherein the door prevents access to the space, and an open position, wherein the door provides access between the swim platform and the space.
 25. The boat according to claim 13, further comprising a plurality of spaced longitudinal reinforcing beams and cross beams defining therebetween a plurality of sunken areas, the molded unit being shaped and dimensioned to have the sinks, the showers, the berths and the showers located within the sunken areas and between the reinforcing beams.
 26. The boat according to claim 13, wherein the inner side of the hatch has the first birth displaceable with the hatch and accessible upon converting the garage space into the living cabin.
 27. A boat comprising: a hull defining a bow and a stern; a rear area adjacent the stern; a hatch mounted in the rear area and pivotable between a closed position, in which the hatch divides the rear area into an upper utility space and a lower foot space, and an open position uncovering the lower foot space so that the utility space combined with the footspace creates a living cabin dimensioned to utilize the full height of the upper and lower utility space and allowing a person to stand upright.
 28. The boat according to claim 27, wherein the foot space is provided with a seating area accessible by people in the open position of the hatch and having a sink, a toilet and a shower.
 29. The boat according to claim 28, wherein the foot space has a partition defining a storage compartment, which is located next to the seating area and topped with a cover that supports the hatch in the open position thereof.
 30. The boat according to claim 27, wherein the inner side of the hatch facing the foot space in the closed position of the hatch has a berth displaceable with the hatch and accessible upon converting the utility space into the living cabin, the utility space being a garage for a dinghy, the outer side of the hatch facing away from the foot space in the closed position of the hatch has an elongated rail provided with a guide groove shaped and dimensioned to facilitate displacement of the dinghy into and from the garage. 